H.S. Boys Soccer: Big North, Freedom Division 2014 preview

HACKENSACK

Coach David Wells believes he has a talented and senior-laden team, but the Comets’ ability to improve on last season’s two wins is “up to them.” Senior Edward Korn is a three-year starter in goal, giving the Comets (2-16) a good foundation. Juan Pablo Lema will move up from his right back position to attacking midfield and will look to be one of the key players to put the ball in the net. “A lot of them have played together for a long time so the attack has only gotten stronger,” Wells said.

The defense also has been playing together as a unit for two years, led by senior Nelson Molina and junior Jevane Barnes. Korn, who was inexperienced when he took over in net three years ago, has grown into the position to become a strong asset on defense.

INDIAN HILLS

Tenth-year head coach Steve Every is looking for a bounce back year from the Indians, who return practically the entire starting lineup from the team that went 7-12 and lost in the first round of the Bergen tournament in 2013. The Braves return what could be a strong attack led by senior Zach Gillespie in the middle and Patrick Praszak, a senior with the speed to beat anybody down the flank and send a cross into the box. Every will be looking for a host of players to take the lead when it comes to putting the ball in the net rather than one single sniper. The key will be rebuilding the back line. Indian Hills gets a boost with the return of Kevin Brennan, who missed much of last season with a concussion, in goal. But they are still looking for a sweeper, a hole that was been evident in the team’s early scrimmages.

NORTHERN HIGHLANDS

Returning seven starters from the team that won the first Group 3 state title in program history, expectations are high for fifth-year coach Sean Devore’s team. The Highlanders (19-1-4) have strength straight down the center of the field beginning with All-North Jersey selections Dan Aversano (16 goals, 11 assists) in the midfield and Alec Lam in goal. Lam has already marked himself as one of the best keepers in the state with 16 shutouts in 2013, while Aversano and speedy outside midfielder J.P. Julian have formed a formidable scoring tandem from the middle. Senior Joe Torres is the leader of a rock solid defense that includes classmate Kyle Bissell and gets a boost from senior Mike Park, who has shined in preseason as a holding center midfielder

PARAMUS

Seventh-year coach Al Romeo is hoping that the return of 14 seniors this year will help to turn the fortunes of a team that suffered seven of its 12 losses by a single goal. Senior keeper Alec Kaminer and midfielder Mike Bartner, both second-team All-division selections, will provide much of the leadership for the Spartans (5-12) as will fellow three-year starters Tommy Casale in the midfield and Giovanni Piccone on defense. Bartner runs the show from the midfield and Kaminer backs a strong defense, which is the key in a talented division. The graduation of leading-scorer Benjie Audi, who had double-digit goals last year, leaves the Spartans looking for somebody to put the ball in the net. But if they find him, it could turn one-goal losses into wins.

RAMAPO

Longtime coach Evan Baumgarten graduated an All-North Jersey midfielder and an All-North Jersey defender but simply reloaded with nine starters returning for a team that went 15-3-2 on its way to the Bergen and sectional semifinals. Seniors Armond Biagini in goal and Matt Collins and Kevin Winiarski anchor a strong defense, the hallmark of a good Ramapo team, as three of four backs return on the back line. But Baumgarten continues to stress that it falls on the entire team to defend as a single unit. Nobody has stepped up to fill the shoes of graduated midfielder Chris Nash as the team’s top offensive weapon as the Green Raiders look to a group of players that could include returning starter Ryan Campbell up top.

RIDGEWOOD

When the Maroons get out of school, the players are going right back to class. Coach Joseph Gyulay (second year) estimates 90 percent of his young roster has been learning a new position. But there is optimism in the Maroons’ locker room because the younger players have reinforced the team’s depth.Having lost the top two scorers to graduation and 50 percent of the team’s offense from a 12-10 campaign, Ridgewood will look to senior captain Johnny Conheeney (five goals, three assists) to kick start the team from his center mid post, with help from fellow senior captains Jack Suriano (forward) and Stephen Chiaramonte (outside mid). Junior Matt Elliott and senior Stephen Concilio are vying for the goalkeeper spot.